In this final post we’ll first define how program management is generally understood in the nonprofit world, then dive into two specific examples SF1 for nonprofits including client work we’ve done in this area at Idealist Consulting.

So first, what is program management?

Program Management is an overarching name for a number of different nonprofit processes, from case management to client care and application processing. Often nonprofits fall into the trap of thinking “my programs are so unique, there’s no way one system can manage them all,” which is understandable but avoidable. Often programs include components from registration to internal chat to surveys, and on the surface it seems that you would need a fleet of tools for this, but the reality is that you can come very close to managing this entirely through CRM integrations now.

The Salesforce Foundation gives some great use cases for how to manage programs through CRM, and the new programs strategy seems focused heavily on these areas:

Automate workflows

Create more collaborative workspaces

Build mobile capabilities more quickly than ever before

Here are two very different examples of how Idealist Consulting worked with clients Sacramento Tree Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project to facilitate the program management process in these categories.

Automate Workflows

Idealist Consulting is a long-time partner with Wounded Warrior Project, and with a staff of 400+ and a constituent base of over 50,000 warriors and caregivers, it is critical to automate as much as possible. Our work included integrating a web-based survey service so that Wounded Warrior Project could automatically distribute and evaluate post-program data. We also integrated event management through Cvent to automatically create tasks based on when an invitation is sent, opened or bounced and when the invitee registers, declines or attends.

Through a mobile app Idealist Consulting built for Sacramento Tree Foundation, their office and field staff has automated many of the workflows associated with the site visit and follow-up process. After site visits, they can confirm tree planting location details and a map showing the property with tree location sites and generate details through a .pdf document to email to the resident.

Build Collaborative Workspaces

Collaborative Workspaces are contingent upon users being able to easily access their systems, and easily seeing opportunities for collaboration. We worked closely with Wounded Warrior Project’s IT department to create a Single Sign On access point where constituents can register as Alumni or Caregivers, update their profile and, if approved, gain access to Connect Warriors (an online community) and Moodle (an LMS for the Transition Training Academy program).

Sacramento Tree Foundation is taking advantages of collaboration by having anytime anywhere access to their data. All of the updates made and information captured during their site visit and tree siting is updated in real-time in their Salesforce.com instance. This way staff and field workers can seamlessly share the same information in real-time.

Build Mobile Capabilities

Sacramento Tree Foundation staff have built mobile capabilities into their daily lives. Foresters can log into their iPads and see a list of tasks showing their scheduled Tree Location visits. They use the custom Google Maps integration that Idealist Consulting built out through Salesforce1, which includes this functionality:

Geolocation: ‘Find Me’

Switch between Map/Satellite view

Show Trees

Plant a Tree (drops a pin on the map)

Here’s a screenshot of how this looks in Salesforce1:

The mobile integration also includes a Docusign component to let field staff have customers sign forms directly.

While our work with Wounded Warrior Project was not focused on mobile development, it is worth a reminder that anyone can add the Salesforce1 app to a mobile device and access much of the same information that you find in your standard Salesforce instance. Consultants like Idealist Consulting can help you add custom reports to access info you readily need while you are on the go.

Kirsten joined Idealist Consulting after 8 years of intercultural communications experience in both the nonprofit and private sectors. She enjoys helping organizations advance their missions through tech solutions and her specialties include training, content marketing, and event management. A lifelong Northwesterner based in Portland, Kirsten enjoys exploring the nearby mountains and local food scene in her spare time.